An Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation Curriculum Featuring a Novel Integrated Skills Trainer Leads to Improved Performance Among Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Trainees

Abstract

Cardiothoracic surgery trainees found a contextualized ECMO cannulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation cannulation curriculum to be highly useful and demonstrated sustained improvement in time to cannulation, CECS, and GRS. Further work will focus on determining the clinical impact of this training and defining the optimal interval and number of training sessions.

Simulation for Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Specialties

“…The American College of Surgery Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course has transitioned its use of animal models to mannequin-based ones for such skills as chest tube insertion and surgical airways. Open models, both synthetic and animal, have been described for dedicated Extra Corporeal Life Support (ECLS) cannulation [53][54][55][56]. As part of a structured curriculum consisting of cannula insertion through multidisciplinary resuscitative simulations, improvements in individual knowledge and skill have been demonstrated, as has team functioning as a whole [53,57].…”

“…Open models, both synthetic and animal, have been described for dedicated Extra Corporeal Life Support (ECLS) cannulation [53][54][55][56]. As part of a structured curriculum consisting of cannula insertion through multidisciplinary resuscitative simulations, improvements in individual knowledge and skill have been demonstrated, as has team functioning as a whole [53,57]. At our institution, a combination of animal labs, high-fidelity vascular access mannequins, and scenario-based simulations were used to bring online a successful ECLS program despite widespread prior inexperience [57].…”

Long‐term efficacy of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation simulation with a novel, low‐cost vascular model “Endo‐Circuit”

“…In order to improve the success rate of on‐site resuscitative ECMO, simulation training should be widely provided for resuscitation providers . In particular, the cannulation procedure is uncommon and difficult to perform safely.…”

Development of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Hong Kong: current challenges and future development

“…6 Some have demonstrated shorter ECMO cannulation times after simulation. 7 In Hong Kong, some ECMO educators, with the support of the Hospital Authority and Asia-Pacific Chapter of the ELSO, have organised ECMO simulation training for local ECMO providers and those in South-East Asia. Feedback indicates a high level of satisfaction from local and international attendees.…”